I figure since I'm looking after this Group Build, I should really contribute. I'd forgotten that I had this kit, I bought it along time ago with the best intentions of building it, but quickly realised that it was probably beyond my skill level at the time, so I put it back in the box after cutting two pieces off their casting blocks.

The '202 is listed as being flown by Brown, probably when he was dispatched to Southern Italy in 1943. Several fell into British/Commonwealth and American hands during the war, as well as being used by the Germans, Croatians and the ANR. The Swiss ordered some, however they were not delivered. Survivors were used until 1948 as trainers in the reconstructed Italian Air Force and multiple examples were rebuilt to Macchi 205's and sold to Egypt, where they saw heavy fighting against Israel. You can tell rebuilt 202's as 205's, as they retained their fixed tail wheel. The Egyptian aircraft that were not shot down by the IAF were retired in 1951. Today, there are only 2 survivors.

I've not decided on a colour scheme yet and it might take a few weeks for me to make a start as I've got other kits I need to finish.

Good choice and a lovely kit. They were really beautiful aircraft- under gunned but graceful and suposedly lovely to fly. The kits got everything- PE, Resin and lots of decal options- will be following your build closely- hardly ever see them here.

Ive actually got 4 of these kits. One I bought second hand and the previous owner had removed the fuselage halves from the sprue, and must have left it next to a radiator or something- now they are warped and twisted beyond belief- cant see how I will ever be able to line them up. One problem I do know about this kit is, the spinner is far too small.

Yeh the spinner looks a little odd. It'll will need some work, I can already see I'll need to thin down the fuselage inside to fit the resin cockpit. The plastic is very soft Thunda, some hot water and a little force should be enough to reshape your warped fuselage.

One I bought second hand and the previous owner had removed the fuselage halves from the sprue, and must have left it next to a radiator or something- now they are warped and twisted beyond belief- cant see how I will ever be able to line them up. One problem I do know about this kit is, the spinner is far too small.

Maybe consider putting in very hot water then taping flat to a piece of wood?

Regards the spinner, the 21st Century offering has the correct size - one reason I bought their Folgore kit, the other for the decals. Think they were selling them for £1.99 from Homebase.

Nice choice, I wil be building the 21st Century kit of the 205. Should be an interesting comparison of the two types and kits.

The 21st century kit is most impressive and builds up really nice, the only faults I could find were the spinner and the size of the mainwheels, for the wheels on my next one I have bought some Fiat G50 wheels from CMK which look to be the same as the real thing. Here's how I got on http://www.britmodel...t-century-toys/